*Declares Free Ride Till Dec 31
By Chris Agabi
President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday flagged-off the re-launch of commercial operations on the Abuja Light Rail that was moribund for over four years.
He also announced that the Metro Train Service would be free to commuters throughout this year.
The multi-billion naira Abuja Rail Mass Transit, also known as Abuja Light Rail, which was first commissioned on July 12th 2018 by President Muhammadu Buhari was rotting away after being abandoned for over four years.
It was abandoned and left at the mercy of vandals and scavengers whilst the federal government pays the about $500 million loan taken from China to build it.
The line linked 13 communities with 12 stations from Central Area, Stadium, Kukwaba 1, Kukwaba 2, Wupa, Idu, Bassanjiwa and the airport.
But President Tinubu and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the FCT have breath life to the train service again.
During the ceremony, the President said: “Our dear Landlord, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), I have heard you say there will be free train rides for two months. I want to appeal to you to make it until the end of the year. Let us give the people reasons to celebrate,’’ the President said before taking a 40-minute ride from the metro station to the airport station.
He described the operations on the Abuja Metro Line as a symbolic milestone of enduring progress as a country and in the FCT.
“As we gather to commemorate the first anniversary of my administration, we are also celebrating the fruits of collaboration, dedication, progress, and foresightedness.
“The Abuja Metro was inherited by my administration from my predecessor. It was first commissioned in 2018 for public use, but this was not to be. COVID-19 struck. The train service was abandoned, vandalized, disused, and abused.
“When we came into office, as part of my desire to have a functional and flourishing FCT with efficient public infrastructure and transportation systems that will serve the people who live and work within the city and the surrounding communities, I made a public request and a challenge to the Minister, Nyesom Wike.
“Then, I did not know that he would be able to deliver this project on time. I said, ‘Do not give me land, Mr. Landlord’. He gave me the assurance that I will be able to ride on the metro line, and I am very proud that today you delivered on that promise,” the President said.
President Tinubu highlighted the significance of transportation in providing hope to the people and commended the completion of access roads to the various train stations.
“Transportation gives hope and access to various individuals and organizations. The access roads to the various stations have been done, and today, we are proud to say that you are truly serving the nation,” the President said.
President Tinubu, who described service to the nation as a critical element of the ‘new national anthem’ adopted and signed into law earlier on Wednesday, urged Nigerians to remain dedicated to the service of the nation.
Referring to the Abuja Metro Line as a symbol of unity and enhanced accessibility, President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to delivering on its promises.
“What we have in the FCT is another piece of evidence that we are a government that delivers on promises,” the President affirmed.
